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Laptop with 35 viruses!!
It's only 3 months old and the local computer repair shop has just found 35 viruses on it despite having Norton AntiVirus loaded. What's going on? Are we doing something wrong? It's primarily used by a teenager.........
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It depends on what the teen is downloading and the sites they are visiting, and it doesnt have to be porn sites. MySpace and MSN can spread infections.
Its a pity you took the pc to a repair shop. They are notorious for charging a lot of money to do a bad removal, or simply wipe the disk, when you could have it cleaned up for free at numurous websites staffed by volunteers.
Its a pity you took the pc to a repair shop. They are notorious for charging a lot of money to do a bad removal, or simply wipe the disk, when you could have it cleaned up for free at numurous websites staffed by volunteers.
Thanks. I didn't realise there were such Web sites - could you give me the name please? They do go on MSN an awful lot so it could be that. How on earth have we managed to get 35 viruses though. I'm a complete klutz when it comes to computers - does Norton automatically scan or do we have to tell it to? A chap at work has recommended AVG so I'm going to install this tonight.
You say you are a complete klutz when in comes to computers (your words) so can I just check something.
You say you have Norton installed, but are you downloading the latest anti-virus files each day (Norton should do this for you)
Also are you actually RUNNING the anti-virus program each day (again, this may be automated by Norton).
Try going into the Norton anti virus program and see when it was last run, and how many files it checked. Also verify you are downloading the latest anti-virus file each day.
btw Be careful about believing there WERE 35 viruses on the computer.
Some people think every dodgy file is a "virus", and some security computer programs say there is more viruses on your PC than there actually are to get you to buy their product, like:
"Hey you have 300 viruses on your computer, send us �30 and we will send you our software to fix them all"
One final thing, assuming you were running Norton A/V every day (and you had the latest AV file) then it is unlikely it would have missed 35 viruses.
Also note that although AVG is good (and free) I doubt it would pick up and more viruses than Norton would.
You say you have Norton installed, but are you downloading the latest anti-virus files each day (Norton should do this for you)
Also are you actually RUNNING the anti-virus program each day (again, this may be automated by Norton).
Try going into the Norton anti virus program and see when it was last run, and how many files it checked. Also verify you are downloading the latest anti-virus file each day.
btw Be careful about believing there WERE 35 viruses on the computer.
Some people think every dodgy file is a "virus", and some security computer programs say there is more viruses on your PC than there actually are to get you to buy their product, like:
"Hey you have 300 viruses on your computer, send us �30 and we will send you our software to fix them all"
One final thing, assuming you were running Norton A/V every day (and you had the latest AV file) then it is unlikely it would have missed 35 viruses.
Also note that although AVG is good (and free) I doubt it would pick up and more viruses than Norton would.
Can I also say that if anyone visits a lot of sites aimed at teenagers (ring tones, free games, music download sites etc) they will almost certainly find they get viruses and other dodgy software installed on their computer.
You say you have Norton, make sure it has a Firewall, and make sure the Firewall is on.
A Firewall is different from an anti-virus program.
A Firewall monitors every program on your PC that is trying to go OUT to the internet, and also any program that wants to come IN from the internet.
Obviously if the Firewall asks if "Internet Explorer" or "Outlook" wants to go out to the internet or come in from the internet you say yes. Once you have said yes once it never asks you again.
But if the Firewall asks can "dodgy software" go out to the internet, or come in from the internet, then you say no. Once you say no it is blocked.
If you run a Firewall you need to educate your son to look carefully when a program wants to go out or come in from the internet, and if he does not recognize the program to say NO (if you decide later you want to say YES it is easy to change it within the firewall program).
Running a firewall is just as important as running an anti-virus program.
Note, you dont run a Firewall in the same way you run anti-virus. A Firewall program should start when the computer starts and just sit there monitoring your internet connection.
You say you have Norton, make sure it has a Firewall, and make sure the Firewall is on.
A Firewall is different from an anti-virus program.
A Firewall monitors every program on your PC that is trying to go OUT to the internet, and also any program that wants to come IN from the internet.
Obviously if the Firewall asks if "Internet Explorer" or "Outlook" wants to go out to the internet or come in from the internet you say yes. Once you have said yes once it never asks you again.
But if the Firewall asks can "dodgy software" go out to the internet, or come in from the internet, then you say no. Once you say no it is blocked.
If you run a Firewall you need to educate your son to look carefully when a program wants to go out or come in from the internet, and if he does not recognize the program to say NO (if you decide later you want to say YES it is easy to change it within the firewall program).
Running a firewall is just as important as running an anti-virus program.
Note, you dont run a Firewall in the same way you run anti-virus. A Firewall program should start when the computer starts and just sit there monitoring your internet connection.
VHG has a good point regarding "false positives" and of course there are the unscrupulous who try to scare you into buying their less than useful products.
Take a look here
http://forum.malwareremoval.com/index.php
Enter the Malware Removal room and read the annoucement "Read this before posting". It will tell you everything you need to know in what to do.
If youre unsure about anything post back here and Ill help.
Even if you are actually clean, youll be told so and at no cost.
Take a look here
http://forum.malwareremoval.com/index.php
Enter the Malware Removal room and read the annoucement "Read this before posting". It will tell you everything you need to know in what to do.
If youre unsure about anything post back here and Ill help.
Even if you are actually clean, youll be told so and at no cost.
Wow, thanks guys, your help is much appreciated ! I think I'm an even bigger computer klutz than I thought. I leave the AV software to its own devices and hope it knows what it's doing, but I'll have a look tonight, do what you advise and let you know the outcome. I reckon our desktop probably needs help too...........
Oh s hit sorry floss have just tried to help you on here and typed a long answer about spyware as that is more probbably most of your problems other than a virus and I pressed the wrong button and delleted it all.
Anyway try this link and use it to scan your laptop at least once a week
http://spywarebot.com/?hop=advanced99&p=3&gid= 1072645447&oid=&aid=
And ask vehelpfulguy and ethell on here and think that they might say the same .
And if I havent vhf and ef can you let us know as have just answered this after a couple of pints
Anyway try this link and use it to scan your laptop at least once a week
http://spywarebot.com/?hop=advanced99&p=3&gid= 1072645447&oid=&aid=
And ask vehelpfulguy and ethell on here and think that they might say the same .
And if I havent vhf and ef can you let us know as have just answered this after a couple of pints
If you want an online scan go here
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Click on "Scan now its free".
It takes a while but its thorough and deletes the infections.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Click on "Scan now its free".
It takes a while but its thorough and deletes the infections.
Go to http://www.flickrmusic.com and start downloading music/movies right away. The excitement our family shares for music is now truly unlimited thanks to the incredibly easy-to-use Music Downloads Membership.
Also try http://www.kazaa-platinum.com
Also try http://www.kazaa-platinum.com
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